Considering a Sleep Study? Which One is Best for You?

Has sleeping through the night become more difficult? Does your sleeping partner complain you keep them up all night? Interested in knowing if you’re getting adequate sleep every night? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then it’s time to schedule an appointment for a sleep study. Sleep studies provide insight into sleep problems including insomnia and sleep-related breathing disorders. Sonya L. Merrill, MD, PhD, FACP , Sleep Medicine Physician at Cooper Clinic , discusses the types of tests and how they are administered.

“Home sleep apnea tests have become popular in the past 10 years due to their convenience,” says Dr. Merrill. However, while it is convenient, an at-home sleep test isn’t for everyone. At-home tests are only capable of measuring the number of times someone has difficulty breathing per hour while asleep, or the apnea hypopnea index. They cannot provide more detailed information about sleep itself or identify other potential sleep disorders.

There are two common tests Dr. Merrill recommends for people who decide to take an at-home test:

• Non-disposable Test: On the day of your study, you will visit the sleep clinic and have the wires and sensors applied by a technician. Once home you can start your sleep study whenever you’re ready. The next day you return the test equipment to the clinic so the technician can download the results for the doctor to review and interpret.
• Disposable Test: You either receive test equipment the day of your appointment or have the kit mailed to your home. On the night of your test, you follow your usual sleeping routine. Before bed you attach the equipment yourself, including a sensor to your chest and finger. The equipment connects to an app on your phone, and you can start your sleep study. The next day, the sleep study professional receives the results when you wake up and you can dispose of the equipment.

Laboratory-based polysomnography, or an in-lab sleep study, is recommended for those who are suspected to have sleeping disorders such as:

• Parasomnia sleep disorders: disrupted sleep due to abnormal behaviors such as sleepwalking, sleep talking, confusional arousals, night terrors or even acting out dreams.
• Obstructive sleep apnea: a breathing disorder characterized by the throat muscles relaxing and causing repeated blockages of the airway. Symptoms include snoring, gasping, nighttime urinary frequency, restlessness and daytime sleepiness.

Those who decide to do the test in the laboratory setting will arrive at the sleep facility in the evening with a change of clothes for sleeping. “A sleep technician applies the wires and electrodes to the patient, usually taking 30 minutes,” says Dr. Merrill.

While you sleep, the technician monitors you from a separate room. If you need to get up for any reason, the technician will assist you. The following are monitored while you sleep:

• Brain waves
• Heart rate
• Breathing patterns
• Abnormal movements

The overnight diagnostic polysomnogram is the most common in-lab sleep study, but others include:

• Multiple Sleep Latency Test: A test that takes place during the daytime which is recommended for those who experience excessive daytime sleepiness and may have narcolepsy.
• Split-night Study: A diagnostic protocol is used during the first half of the night. If you have obstructive sleep apnea, you will use a CPAP machine during the second half of the study. A CPAP machine delivers air pressure to help your airway stay open while you sleep.

Sleep studies are an opportunity to understand your sleep patterns and learn ways to sleep better at night. Take the initiative and talk to your doctor about which option is best for you and how you can improve your sleep.

Cooper Clinic offers sleep medicine services—including sleep lab-based studies and in-home testing. To learn more about Cooper Clinic Sleep Medicine and the importance of sleep to improve your quality and quantity of life, visit cooper-clinic.com or call 866.906.2667 .